News Archive - 2009

Broken genomes behind breast cancers

The first detailed search of breast cancer genomes to uncover genomic rearrangements is published today. The team characterised the ways in which the human genome is broken and put back together in 24 cases of breast cancer.

Sanger Institute first for impact

The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute has topped two rankings and is joint second in another measuring the publication impact of more than 2100 research organisations across the globe. The results include top worldwide research institutions and organisations representing more than 80 countries worldwide.

Lung Cancer and melanoma laid bare

All cancers are caused by mutations in the DNA of cancer cells which are acquired during a person's lifetime. The studies, of a malignant melanoma and a lung cancer, reveal for the first time essentially all the mutations in the genomes of two cancers.

One mutation every day

Research published in Nature shows that the genome of a lung cancer patient has more than 20,000 mutations: this total implies that a typical smoker would acquire one mutation for every 15 cigarettes smoked. The cancer genome is ravaged by mutations, many of which are repaired as the genome tries to defend itself.

Signatures of sunlight

In a landmark study, researchers have described the first comprehensive catalogue of somatic mutations in a cancer genome. The breadth and clarity of the view of the genome from a patient with malignant melanoma is matched only by a companion study on lung cancer, published in the same issue of Nature.

Malaria parasites are able to disguise themselves to avoid the host's immune system, according to research funded by the Wellcome Trust and published today in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Dr George Warimwe and colleagues from the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)-Wellcome Trust Programme and the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, have shown that the parasites adapt their molecules depending on which antibodies it encounters in the host's immune response. They have also found evidence to suggest that there may be a limit to the number of molecular types that are actually associated with severe disease.

Ten years of 22

Ten years ago, humans were given an unprecedented view of their own genetic code when the first human chromosome DNA sequence - 22 - was published by an international team led from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. At around 34 million letters, or bases, of DNA code, it was a remarkable achievement and the longest sequence produced at that time.

Senior Sanger Institute researcher honoured

Professor Leena Peltonen receives honorary title of Academician of Science

Professor Leena Peltonen, Head of Human Genetics at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, has been awarded the honorary title of Academician of Science, the highest scientific honour in Finland. The letter of appointment was presented to Professor Peltonen by Tarja Halonen, the President of Finland.